Chapter 189

With his luck seemingly spent, Hakari keeps wagering everything on his domain and proves fortunate yet again. He is not the only gambler in the fight, however, as Kashimo demonstrates he will take desperate risks of his own to seize the win.

Hakari manages to expand the domain, but with his lower left abdomen gone he can barely stand. Kashimo writes it off, since this round of Idle Death Gamble offers only faster spins rather than improved odds, and mocks the slim one-in-two-hundred-thirty-nine chance. Against those odds Hakari hits the jackpot anyway, and instead of mere speed the round carries hidden probability, letting him line up three twos and fully heal the lethal wound. As the domain breaks apart, he admits Kashimo has impressed him and rambles about having manga on the brain after meeting Charles. Kashimo says he dislikes manga, and Hakari quips how's this for electric as the balance inside the domain shifts.

Now falling, Kashimo realizes Hakari relocated the barrier over the sea beside the yard. Submersion would bleed off all of his electrified energy, since he can only fully release it or shut it down until he returns to land. Most of the colony is ocean teeming with cursed spirits, and several lunge from the water, which Kashimo uses as stepping stones to stay dry. Driven by his manga obsession, Hakari shreds the curses, reaches Kashimo, kicks him into the water, and clings to a small flying curse to keep from dropping in himself. Forced to suppress his energy, Kashimo quietly turns the water against his foe.

Hakari soon finds it hard to see and breathe, vomits, loses his grip on the curse, and falls. Kashimo had used electrolysis to generate chlorine gas from the seawater and poison him.

Kashimo knows a reverse cursed technique user can be felled by a head blow or by toxins, since detoxifying is far harder than regenerating tissue, and bets the round will end while Hakari drowns. He privately confesses the duel has been enjoyable, a quiet sign of respect. As Hakari sinks past him, though, he opens his eyes and vents air, alive and aware, then catches Kashimo with a left hook and an overhead kick. Stunned that the automatic healing also neutralizes toxins, Kashimo notices the water heating from his own energy. With five seconds remaining and a domain too dangerous to open underwater, Hakari chooses to attack, lands another left hook, and goads him on. Kashimo seizes his arm and unleashes all his cursed energy at once, triggering a steam explosion that blindsides his opponent.